Supporting masts in the decks of vessels



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. WOODVVORTH, OF SALEM, NEW JERSEY.

SUPPORTING MASTS IN THE DECKS 0F VESSELS.

Specicaton of Letters Patent No. 16,5'10, dated January 27, 1857.

case or supporter with an octagonal vertical aperture through the same large enough to admit eight wedges around the mast, which are to be drawn as tight as possible, in order to prevent any motion of the mast in the deck of the vessel, and to secure it in such a manner as to be perfectly water tight without opening the seams of the deck, and at the same time firmly secured in its proper position in the deck. And I hereby declare that the following, is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and use of the same; reference being had to the annexed drawings making a lower edge of the supporter for the pur-- pose of clamping it to its proper place; letter E represents the lower or square portion of the supporter letter F, represents the wedges used in fastening the mast firmly in the supporter and letter' Gr represents a section of the deck of the vessel.

I construct the supporter of metal (either of iron or brass) in one solid piece,

square on the lower parte, which is introduced into the deck in a groove or rabbet so constructed as to retain it rmly in its proper position; with a circular flange resting on the surface of the deck extending over the square portion far enough to insure a rm foundation, and to make a tight joint between the supporter and the deck; and through this supporter I leave an octagonal aperture large enough to admit the mast and room for wedging, thus admitting of the mast being wedged in the tightest manner possible without the possibility of in any wise injuring the deck of the vessel or opening the seams thereof, and requiring no canvas or other coating around the mast to prevent it from leaking, thus preventing the mast from decaying, and giving it a firm and substantial support in the deck notliable to leakage or insecurity in any manner.

The metal support for the masts of vessels, is so constructed in one solid piece, and so let into and fastened to the deck, that no matter how tightly it shall be wedged no' possible injury can result to the deck; preventing any leakage around the mast, and so supporting it as to prevent it from becoming loose by the shrinking of the deck timbers, and from decaying from moisture of the deck as is the case now in the common mode of fastening the mast in wooden partners: leaving no portion of the deck or frame of the same in contact with the mast, but presenting a substantial metal supporter in close connection therewith of suficient strength to resist the force of wedging and of a proper size that no leak can arise from the shrinkingof the wedges; being an invention of vast utility as must be conceded by all persons acquainted with the present method of securing masts in the deck: as well as much improving the general appearance and finish, substituting in the place of the present unsightly canvas coat, a neat and ornament-al improvement on deck.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Constructing the partner for the masts of vessels as herein set forth.

THOMAS J. WOODWORTI-I. Attest:

JOHN S. HOLLINGSHEAD, CHARLES F. WOOD. 

